Still Loving You (Broken Series 1)

Chapter 16

Catherine

11 Years later...

"We are arriving at Ninoy Aquino International airport—” I didn’t continue listening at the Pilot announcing.

So, I’m really back in this country again. Actually, I don’t really have plans to go back but Hendrix and Tristan don’t stop pestering me to come back here because I was left all alone in London.

Like what Hendrix promised, I live a new life in London. I continue my studies there and able to finished my degree. I’m a Surgeon now.

Dra. Catherine Grace Del Valle.

As I walk to the arrival area, I look around.

And then there I saw him, Hendrix. Waving the banner, he made that has a message "Welcome back baby." together with Tristan by his side. They were smiling at me while I'm walking towards them. I hugged both of them tightly.

"I miss you so much, baby..." Hendrix whispered to me before he let go from the hug.

I smile widely. "I miss you too!" I say.

The two of them took my suitcases in my hand and we walk together outside the airport.

While we’re inside the car. We started chitchatting.

Tristan smiled widely to me. "Sweetheart, where’s your souvenir for me?" he asks.

I smirk. "I didn’t buy you any souvenir.” I tease him. 

His smile slowly fades as he pouted his mouth. “You’re such a bully, sweetheart.”

I chuckled. “I’m just teasing you. Of course, I have something for you.” I said. He starts to smile again.

"how about mine, baby?" It was Hendrix.

I turned to him. "Inside my suitcase. I’ll give it to you later." I winked at him.

He smiled at me as he holds my hand. He slowly touches the two rings in my finger. It was an engagement and a wedding ring. I also look at his ring too.

I lean my head near Hendrix’s shoulder and he immediately circled his hand on my waist. I feel him kiss me on my forehead. He’s really sweet.

We continue to chitchat until we arrived at the mansion. It’s the same mansion were Tristan and Hendrix took me several years ago. After we eat, I excuse myself and told them I going to sleep because I’m so tired due to a long flight.

I woke up the next morning. I’m going to start working in the hospital nearby three days from now. So, I still have a vacation then. Hendrix chooses the hospital that I’ll be working on. The owner was a good friend of his so I didn’t get a problem finding a work here. St. Mary’s Hospital.

I went downstairs and I saw Hendrix already eating breakfast.

"Good morning baby" he greeted.

I walk closer to him. "Good morning!" I greeted back and give him a kiss on the cheek.

I notice that he’s already in his suits.

“Are you going somewhere today?” he asks as I sitting in the chair in front of him.

I shook my head.

"Why? Don’t you have any place that you missing here in the Philippines? You’ll get bored if stay here at home. Or why not come to my office."

“What am I going to your company, anyway?” I ask him.

He smirks. “Maybe you’ll feel lonely alone here. And You’ll miss me so you’re going to my company to see me.”

I laughed at his remarks.

After we eat our breakfast, I walk him out in the main doorway.

“Text me if you’re going out. You take the driver with.” He reminded me.

“Noted! Drive safely.”

He nods. “I will. I love you.”

I smile and kisses his cheek. “I love you too.”

He smiles back to me before going inside the driver seat of his car. I went back inside our house.

I’ve been thinking what to do today. I would like to talk to someone but the only one I can bother right now besides Hendrix is Tristan. But I don’t want to do that because I know he’s busy with his work too.

So, I look at my phone. As I scrolled my phonebook, I saw Gio’s name. Tristan gave me Gio’s number last night.

Maybe I'll try to reach out to my best friend, Gio. If I’m still his best friend.

After I left eleven years ago, I only call Gio once. I don’t know why I did it. It just that I want to forget my life here before and start a new that time. I broke my promise to him and I will fully understand if he doesn’t want anything to do with me. But I really want to try calling him.

I deep breathily before pressing the call button.

"Hello?"

I gasped in the air when I heard his voice.

I’m speechless. I don’t know what to say.

“Hello?” he repeated.

I gulped. "Gio." the only thing I uttered.

The other line went silent. All I can hear is him breathing. I’m getting anxious and nervous at the same time. A lot of questions start pouring inside my mind. Like what if he hangs up the call? I’m certain that he will be mad at me.

I was back to my senses when I heard a loud scream from the other line.

"Cath, is that you? Oh my gosh... Why did you call me just now? And you’re using a local number that means you’re back ....” He said and I start to hear a sobbing sound. “I miss you so much." He added. I’m sure he’s crying right now.  

I bit my lip as a tear fall down from my eyes. I can’t believe that he will have this kind of reaction. All I thought he’s mad or angry at me.

"Yes, Gio I'm back.... and I miss you too" I sighed before continuing "I’m sorry if I call you just now, I broke my pro—”

He cut me off. "it’s okay. Don’t worry about anything. More important now is you call me and you’re back… I’m always waiting for you coming back" I can feel joy through his voice. "Can we meet? Please Cathie... I’m going to get mad at you if we can’t meet."

"But it’s still working hours, don’t you have work today?" I ask.

"Screw work! I can do whatever I want and FYI dear, I’m the owner of my own company. So, I can leave whenever I want.”

I chuckled. “Alright then, let’s meet.”